15 December 1914

States intervene on the matter of volunteers

The Island’s politicians met this week in a special session to discuss the matter of Jersey’s contribution to Britain’s war effort.

The Island’s politicians met this week in a special session to discuss the matter of Jersey’s contribution to Britain’s war effort. The move follows widespread disappointment over the low number of Militiamen volunteering to join the Jersey contingent and harsh comments by the newspapers over the apparent lacklustre recruitment efforts undertaken by the States to date.

In a momentous session led by the Bailiff, member after member patriotically spoke up in support of the contingent. At a time when the whole of the British Empire was sending men to defend the mother country, there were understandable concerns that Jersey would not be represented on the battlefield. The Jersey Militiamen of times past would have volunteered to a man, one member claimed, now was the time to make those of today realise what their patriotic duty was.

There was unanimous agreement that the States should organise and lead a fresh recruitment campaign that would appeal to Militiamen. It would also be directed at the women of Jersey to encourage their support in urging men to come forward.